Not a day goes by (hardly) that I am not messaged, emailed or DM’d about a revolutionary new product that will change the way we think about food, nutrition and…
I have been cooking all my life, well, almost. I fell in love with the rhythm of the kitchen at the tender age of 4, watching my mother, grandmother and…
It was October and the weather was amazing; perfect autumn, cool at night and warm during the day. We were in Puglia filming my TV series in various locations. I…
It will be steaming hot this summer, ‘punishing,’ I think it’s being called; as summer is known to be these days. Since it gets so warm and often muggy globally,…
When I was a kid, meals were considered sacred time. I always joke that if you weren’t at the dinner table, you’d best be dead. No excuses mattered. Not late…
It’s the season of seashells and balloons. We long to hang outside and take vacations, big or small. We savor every second of the long days and warm nights, making…
I am all about food…and wellness. I love the communal, sensual nature of preparing luscious, healthy foods and enjoying them with people I love. As an Italian, we always joke…
The World’s Tiniest Fresh Vegetable Takes Healthy Eating to a New…and Yummy Level
When I first heard of GreenOnyx, I had no idea what I was in for. I was told it was a ‘revolutionary product;’ a game-changer.’ I have heard that before…about…
I was at the gym the other day, sweating through one of my favorite, rough and tumble classes when the instructor yelled out, “Now is not the time to slack…
I have lived a vegan, macrobiotic lifestyle for more than forty years. I came to this lifestyle through severe illness and using a rather rigid approach to eating, was able…
Regenerative Agriculture? Conventional, locally grown, CSA, organic…and now regenerative agriculture. Is it just another buzzy term for us to navigate as we try to shop and vote with our dollar…
I was with a dear friend and fellow cooking instructor and health activist having a coffee on a lovely spring day. Our conversation turned to our work; our missions in…
Brain care supplements are really having a moment, but are they worth the hype? Many of us think of this as a concern as we age, but brain health should…
My friend and brilliant macrobiotic teacher, Dani Mayor in Barcelona recently wrote a wonderful article on hypoglycemia and how many of us it affects; its impact on our daily wellness…
Cooking has gotten a bad rap in the past decades. From Betty Friedan to talk show hosts telling women that they’re better than the kitchen, we have moved away from…
The articles have been around for a couple of years (many years really…), creating a low-level buzz of discomfort in the cooking community. It seems to have become more like…
Why You Should Be Packing Your Bags and Traveling to Italy…with Me!
The headlines are terrifying: “Travel Nightmare!” “Flight-mare” “Summer Travel in Peril.” Yikes, right? So what are we to do? Believe the fear mongering and stay in our backyards for the…
(Christina’s Note: Like you, my head hurts from the constant debate over extra virgin olive oil. So I asked nutrition expert Anthony Dissen to break it all down for us….
ProPublica published an article a couple of weeks ago that had me scratching my head in confusion. And then I got well…angry. It seems that back in May of 2018,…
For so many of us, it’s just another weekend in the same place we’ve been for months, living and working day to day; looking for work, dealing with school, struggling…
We are one month into 2021 and the times are still challenging. Sure, there’s hope and optimism as there is with every new year. And this year, that hope feels…
And Now for Something Completely Different (cooking…)
It’s been months and months of the virus and even if the news around the vaccine is good, it’s not like we’ll be partying shoulder to shoulder in our favorite…
There are certain kitchen rhythms that I will always associate with these past months of the pandemic. Pot after pot of what we consider “comfort food”: millet soup with red…
Here we are, in the run up to Thanksgiving and whether you’re alone, cooking for your immediate household or cooking for an intrepid crowd that decided to brave the airways…
Someone wrote to me on Facebook asking about acrylamides. I confess that my first response was acryl-a-who? There seems to be more and more “stuff” out there for us to…
As summer fades into our memory, we mourn its passing, especially this year. We moved through the days with mask-fogged sunglasses and awkward, socially distant gatherings, where we waved at…
The days became weeks; became months and here we are. The days roll into each other. We savor small changes, small freedoms as we continue to navigate this pandemic. We…
Ah, the pandemic. 2020 has been such a delight (she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm). As the weeks and months of COVID life drag on, I find solace where…
It’s been months now of living and working at home, working unmentionably long shifts as essential workers out in the world or living at home and not working at all….
I continue to cook three meals a day. Even though life is opening in every way, which makes me so happy and grateful. I just don’t feel comfortable eating outside…
Watching an hour of television at night makes me feel sick. There. I said it out loud. It’s not the programming so much as it’s the Big Pharma ads during…
As social distancing and limited exposure to people not in your nuclear circle (like people with whom you share a home) continue, I am thinking about dinner parties and other…
Black Garlic You might think that garlic that has been heated to temperatures varying from 140o to 170oF for three to four weeks, turning it black and soft should be…
If life were normal, I’d be deep in the planning stages of hosting one of my glorious Italian adventures. Every cell of my body vibrates with the anticipation of jetting…
I have worked from home for a long time. Unless traveling, hosting groups; teaching classes and seminars or lecturing, I generally work from my home office (aka, my kitchen), writing…
It’s been a long time since I was in a kitchen full time. Most of my days now are spent testing recipes, writing articles, planning and teaching cooking classes, serving…
It’s that time of year. A time to gather our loved ones around us, enjoy, share and celebrate…everything. A long, cold winter stretches before us. The holidays distract us from…
My husband was reading the New York Times and sent me an opinion piece by a cardiologist from Tufts University and a former Secretary of Agriculture. The piece hit the…
The “war on cancer” drags on with no end in sight with 1.9 million Americans diagnosed with cancer last year alone. I don’t know about you, but with stats looking…
Yes, really. According to a study published in BMJ (formerly British Medical Journal), frequent consumption of fried foods can lead to a serious outcome: early death. Yup; you read right…early…
My husband, who I adore, loves Time magazine. Yup, good old fashioned Time magazine. I’m not such a big fan but every now and then, I see an article that…
When was the last time you sat down to a meal and really enjoyed it? Without pondering calories, carbs, protein grams. Without second-guessing your choices and their impact on your…
My dear friend and food writer extraordinaire, Jason loves the movie “Love, Actually” so I named this article for him. It was through him that I had the chance to…
My husband loves Time Magazine and I love my husband (as evident in this photo of us…and yes, I know; the 80’s called and they want their hair back…but it…
I taught a cooking class yesterday all about managing weight and one of the questions at the end of class was about making vegan yogurt, specifically about the starter part…
Who doesn’t love a sandwich for lunch? But sometimes the bread and the filling can leave us feeling like we’ve been stuffed like an over-filled pita! Let’s lighten up…
If you watch television, read magazines or scan internet sites for news or any other information, you have seen the ads. We have tacos with shells made from fried…
People who follow a Mediterranean diet have a better quality of life and a longer one. You read right: according to research, people who eat a Mediterranean type diet live…
When I was a kid, the only thing that helped me get over the passing of Christmas was the appearance of what my grandfather called “Chinese apples.” I couldn’t wait…
It’s been a bad time recently for meat-and meat eaters. Everywhere they turn, they are faced with studies telling them meat kills, experts advising to quit meat and contaminated meat…
As the holiday season kicks into high gear, our thoughts turn to family gatherings and tradition. Okay, the pressure of holiday shopping is foremost in our thoughts, but stay with…
I spent a few weeks working in Italy this past summer and fall and was struck by how healthy Italian living feels with its slower pace and relaxed lifestyle. Italians…
The Soy Story (and how it relates to your thyroid…)
From Christina: I am asked about soy and thyroid all the time so I thought I would go an expert on the topic, my great friend, Andrea Beaman. Here are…
The simple act of cooking. It has taken on meaning that we can barely fathom anymore. Is it a colosseum-type sporting event with chefs running around a kitchen cooking sea…
What’s Going on with Our Colons? The news was big…and somber…and apparently, shocking for many people, including experts. A new study, published in the Journal of The American Medical…
It’s all the rage. It seems everyone is fermenting something and extolling the virtues of fermented foods. That includes me. So let’s talk fermentation, shall we? Is it…
I have to tell you, bananas are not my favorite fruit…sorry. It’s not the flavor…they’re sweet, so that’s good, right. It was purely a texture thing; they’re too soft or…
What’s summer without tomatoes? Lifeless…lackluster…flavorless…okay, okay…it would still be summer and wonderful at that, but tomatoes bring a luscious, sensual energy to hot, sultry days that is without peer in…
Baby, It’s Blueberry Season One of the many things I love about summer, besides basil, the beach, Italy, hot sultry days, cold crisp salads, lush fruit, staying outside until long…
One of my favorite things about summer is not the beach or long lazy afternoons in the sun or even the explosion of color and perfume in my flower garden. …
I took my inspiration for this blog from my pal, Kris Carr. Both of us were surprised that people were still sooooooooo confused about whether or not to eat carbs….
I say it all the time. Keep It Simple, Sweetie. It’s the key to success when you’re thinking about changing your diet and lifestyle to reflect healthier habits. My…
People ask me this question all the time: “what are the ten essential ingredients for a healthy pantry?” In my view, there’s a lot more than ten things, but…
I am always inspired by my travels in and around Italy…all of the Med, really, but Italy is where my heart lives. I feel my best there, the most natural,…
Obesity, lethargy and lifestyle diseases are almost inevitable or so it seems. With our notorious health-stealing American diet of fast junk food, frozen meals and convenience foods, not to mention…
I’m asked this question a lot: Can I eat soy if I take thyroid medication to regulate its function. So I put on my reading glasses and scoured the net…
I have a very specific opinion on smoothies. You may hate it; you may rant at me for it, but here goes. We finally put kale…in all its crunchy, nutrient-dense…
You’ve worked all week: shopping, cleaning the house, prepping ingredients, baking and cooking for the big feast that brings us together around the table to celebrate our gratitude for abundance,…
I must get asked these questions ten times a day: How do I set up a pantry to create health and wellness? What should I include, besides the basics to…
Camelina oil was brought to my attention a couple of years ago when I was traveling around Italy. It seems some of my best ideas, luck, products, people, experiences, food…
There are some things that you just can’t live without…great olive oil, sexy shoes, fresh garlic, juicy grapefruit, loyal friends, tulips in the spring and porcini mushrooms. Growing up…
Just to take us back to the dreamy, leisurely days of summer…yum! Summer Now we’re talking. Summer. It’s my season. Sure, I love Christmas and all that goes along with…
I know what you’re probably thinking. Vegetarian and grilling are like Romeo and Juliet…with the tragedy. They just…don’t…go…together. But, really, they do. From corn on the cob to veggie kabobs…
As summer really heats up, we look to sweet, succulent fruits to help us keep our cool. Cherries are the perfect summer treat (gee…do you think that’s why nature gives…
What? Is she telling us not to cook? Dream on, kids. I am asking you to explore a new idea to add to your repertoire of healthy eating…raw cuisine. And…
As the first day of summer approaches (yippppeeeeeeeee…) we begin to think…picnic! There’s nothing more fun and relaxing, more leisurely and chill than a blanket on the grass with friends…
As summer moves into its hottest weeks, I think only of peaches…sensual, soft, rich in nutrients and so lush with juice that it runs over our fingers and drips down…
As far as I’m concerned, pineapple is the aristocracy of fruit. But don’t let its royal appearance fool you. Underneath its regal crown lies sweetly sensual fruit that can take…
I think a lot about food. I guess that’s obvious, right? The other day, my husband and I were driving on the highway, passing billboard after billboard for food…
One of my favorite things about summer is not the beach or long lazy afternoons in the sun or even the explosion of color and perfume in my flower garden,…
What’s summer without tomatoes? Boring…lifeless…lackluster…flavorless…okay, okay…it would still be summer and wonderful at that, but tomatoes bring a luscious, sensual energy to hot, sultry days that is without peer in…
Here on the East Coast, during that brief period of paradise known as early summer (or late spring), strawberries rule…as they should. There is nothing quite like them in the…
With the warming days of spring moving quickly toward summer, I start to think of ways to refresh my cooking. After a long, cold winter of hearty soups and stews,…
The modern American holiday of Mother’s Day was first celebrated in 1908, when Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother at St Andrew’s Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia….
Just when you think there isn’t one more thing you can love about spring, along come the first tender stalks of asparagus, the surest sign of the season after tulips. …
In Chinese medicine, lemons are a key ingredient in remedies used to aid the liver in its functions of ridding our bodies of toxins, as well as regulating the metabolism…
I know what you’re thinking. She’s become desperate…she has no idea what to write about anymore, so she is writing about garnishes. Well, nothing could be further from the truth. …
Cooking with onions seems to be the base for just about any good recipe, but pull out a leek and everyone gets just a little nervous…isn’t that the weird veggie…
Considered by many to be the mild-mannered Clark Kent of vegetables, cauliflower is actually a true superhero of nutrition…and one of my favorite veggies. A garden plant with origins in…
Suffering Seaweed, Batman! It’s A Real Super Food!
You may think of them as the annoying fronds that wrap around your ankles at the seaside, but sea vegetables are the ultimate super food. At a time when it…
We may not think of shiitake mushrooms when we think heart health, but we should. I often joke that a true lover would present his or her beloved with a…
Many of you have heard me say that when that candy bar in your desk drawer is calling your name at snack time…well…there’s a better choice. For many of us,…
I know what you’re thinking. It’s February, the month of love and romance…and she is writing about Brussels sprouts???? Brussels sprouts???? Before you turn to another article, hang in there…
I don’t know about you, but where I live, when the bone-chilling cold of winter sets in, it feels like it will never thaw. Steel grey skies, cloudy days and…
We seem to tend toward over-indulgence…the holidays, the summer, graduation, weddings…because it’s Tuesday and then we want to get back on track. Is juice the answer? Maybe; maybe not. The…
Growing up in an Italian household, fennel, or finocchio, was a staple on our autumn table. It wasn’t until I grew up that I discovered that it was rarely used…
It’s the New Year. You’ve made the decision to clean up your eating habits and get fit. Maybe you’ve made this resolution before, but what if it could really “stick”…
No one likes change. It’s uncomfortable and takes us into uncharted territory. It can be scary and we aren’t sure of the results…or consequences. And sometimes, we just get tired…
I live on the East Coast. Winter sets in with dull, grey, bone-chilling cold days. Since I can’t always jet off to a tropical paradise for a break from winter…
Nutmeg is one of the signature spices of the holiday season. We associate its earthy flavor with eggnog, spice cakes, cookies and seasonal lattes. This simple spice has an interesting…
Is There a War on Delicious Meat…Or On Our Health?
The headlines blared from every national (and international news outlet): “Processed Meat Causes Cancer, says WHO.” The World Health Organization now says pretty definitively that eating processed meat such as…
Honey…truffles…wine…all hailed as food of the gods at some point in world history. No food, however, is more deserving of the title than chocolate, the aromatic, creamy, rich, dark substance…
As the cold weather continues to march toward us and autumn is in full blush, is there anything that lifts your spirits quite like crisp, juicy apples spilling out of…
I know what you’re thinking. How boring. Brown bagging lunch every day to the office and sitting at your desk while you eat it. No way, baby. Homemade is far…
Glorious Garlic I didn’t cook with garlic until I was about 10 years old. My mother, you see, didn’t like it. I know, right? An Italian cook who didn’t like…
There’s something about the fall that makes us crave long-cooked, hearty dishes. They seem to comfort us as the days shorten, the nights grow longer and the frost is definitely…
Pignoli (or pine nuts) are one of life’s yummiest indulgences. If they appear in a dish, it’s suddenly more special, more richly-flavored. What is it about these pale little bits…
Wait…what? Cooking without onions or garlic? Seriously? I get this question a lot. Some people have a partner who hates all things onions and garlic; some have an allergy to…
As the weather cools, we turn our attention indoors. We move from the outdoor sizzle of the weather to the indoor sizzle of our skillets. For some of us onions…
My friend and colleague David Steinman generously offered to help me explain the importance of organic foods. David is a journalist, environmentalist, and consumer advocate. His book Diet for a…
The word “grain” resonates deeply with me. It evokes images of simplicity, elegance, beauty and humility. Simply stated, whole grains and grain products are the cornerstone of any healthy, whole…
Let's continue our conversation of what seems like an impossible mission of stretching your dollar to get healthy food on a budget. VegetablesThis is a no-brainer. Veggies are inexpensive and…
There’s a reason that healthy eating seems unattainable. The recipes can seem complicated (translation: lots of prep time) with ingredients that sound unfamiliar and when you seek them out, are…
How to Read a Label10 Tips 1. Ingredients are listed in order of their proportion in the product. So for me, the first three ingredients are the most important. They’re…
Label.ology: Reading and Understanding Vitamins and Minerals
How to Read a LabelLesson 4 The next part of the label reveals the vitamin and mineral content of the food item you are considering. The FDA requires listings on…
Label.ology: Reading and Understanding Ingredients
How to Read a LabelLesson 3 Let’s talk ingredients. We see the lists on packages and sometimes they read like Russian novels. How could all those substances be in one…
It’s that time of year. Your seeds have sprung into full-grown plants laden with the fruits of your labor. While much of your garden bounty ends up on your table–and…
Label.ology: Reading and Understanding Calories, Fat, Protein, Sodium…
How to Read a LabelLesson 2 The next part of the label includes information concerning fat content and type, amount and type of carbohydrates, protein, sodium, fiber, and sugar. It’s…
Label.ology: Reading and Understanding Serving Sizes
How to Read a Label Lesson One At the top of the label you will see the serving size or the number of servings that the nutrition information is based…
I know–duh, right? Don’t you just pick up the package, turn it over, and read? Yes, but you may not know what exactly you’re seeing. It’s complicated. We are bombarded…
There’s a lot of talk these days about olive oil. There are people who would have you believe that it’s an unhealthy ingredient in your diet. These experts, many of…
The summer is hot. We all want ice cream. It’s a treat synonymous with the season. But isn’t it unhealthy for us? Not these recipes! Enjoy! Simple Vanilla Gelato This…
I admit it. I am completely obsessed with lentils, as are most Italians. I always say that if we could make a delicious lentil gelato, we would! Green, brown, yellow,…
Why Aren’t We Asking More Questions About Chicken?
Do you remember when we first heard about the sinister Avian Flu in 2003? We panicked. The news covered this new bird disease incessantly. China and its Avian Flu became…
If Gluten Isn’t An Issue for You, Should You Still Avoid It?
Not necessarily. Look, I want to go on record as a gluten fan. I love whole wheat flours; I love baking bread and sweet treats. Sure I can work within…
Eat This Now! Arugula…A Most Tender Green For most of us, spring brings thoughts of crocuses popping their pretty little heads through frozen soil…or tulips and daffodils waving lazily in…
We live in changing times. According to an article in The Wall Street Journal Americans have become ‘serial snackers’ with 48% of us skipping meals, in favor of snacks at…
One of the questions I am most asked is how to convert gluten-containing desserts into gluten-free treats that…well, not to put too fine a point on it, actually taste great….
With about 30% of Americans indicating that they feel like they should “cut down or be free of gluten” (according to a survey), it’s important to make sure your nutrient…
I confess. As I write this blog, I am chewing on a piece of toast made from Italian artisan whole wheat flour and thanking my lucky stars that I don’t…
I always say that your mother was right, at least about this one. Nothing gets your day off to a great start like a healthy breakfast. Skipping breakfast sets you…
This is one of my favorite recipes for strength and endurance. I love how it makes me feel: strong and relaxed at the same time. Perfect for a tough workout….
Ya’ know, I never really liked avocados…too soft and mushy. The flavor was okay, but the mouth-feel was just not for me. And then one day, my husband convinced me…
The Farm Markets Are Coming! The Farm Markets Are Coming!
Depending on where you live, it’s still on the early side to trek to the weekly farm market in your town. But it’s certainly the time to get your hands…
Time for the big guns. Let’s move from the herb garden and the medicine chest to the pantry and the fridge because a lot of your relief…or aggravation with allergies…
Amazing Asparagus Just when you think there isn’t one more thing you can love about spring, along come the first tender stalks of asparagus, the surest sign of the season,…
We post some very cool social media with daily healthy tips, yummy recipes and some interesting information about our food and making healthier choices. But now? Oh, yeah, baby….
Do you know what you’re really eating? “Imagine if waiters told you the truth about your dinner order. They’d probably start like this: “Hi folks! Thanks for dining with us…
How could I resist using that silly little ditty from our childhoods to begin a discussion of beans…and their influence on your heart health? I can’t. My inner Henny…
I admit it. I am completely obsessed with lentils. Green, brown, yellow, red, black, small, large, humble or gourmet, lentils rock my world. And you need to let them rock…
There’s a saying that money can’t buy happiness. It can, however, buy chocolate. And in my book that’s practically the same thing. It used to be that chocolate, while…
Label.ology: Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum) & Petrolatum Liquidium
In this feature, we’re taking labels apart. It’s important to understand all the stuff that’s in what you buy. Then and only then can you can decide if you want…
Why do we cook? Anthropologists tell us that cooking is what ultimately makes us human, differentiating us from other species in that cooking created community. We gathered around the fire…cooking…
As the holiday season heats up, we get busier and busier…and it becomes more challenging to cook from scratch so we stay strong and healthy. One of my go-to methods…
BUONA TIRAMISU While not really an Italian classic, this yummy dessert has come to be associated with Italian cuisine…right up there with pasta. My version is delish and lighter on…
With cooler weather as the order of the day, we look to our food and cooking styles as our first line of defense against the harshness of cold days. And…
In this feature, we’re taking labels apart. It’s important to understand all the stuff that’s in what you buy. Then and only then can you can decide if you want…
Cookies to Make You Happy… and Healthy… This Holiday Season
It’s that time of year. The air is crisp and cold. We’ve packed away the flip flops for boots and sweaters. The lights are untangled and ready to adorn the…
Watching a cooking show the other day, I saw an ad for Marie Callendar pot pies talking about how the crust is made from scratch and the ingredients simmered with…
When I was a kid, the end of summer meant three things, pressing grapes with my grandfather to make wine, canning the garden’s tomatoes with my mother…both chores we hated…and…
I grew up in a big, culinarily inspiring Italian family. We cooked, ate, made and drank wine, cooked, ate, tended vegetable gardens, fought, cooked and ate. But I learned everything…
As the earth thaws and the change in the air we know as spring embraces our winter-weary bodies, I am acutely aware of the rebirth of all life. We emerge,…
Wheatgrass is one of the most intensely concentrated nutrients. And while it has a very strong taste, very grassy, like drinking the lawn…(kidding…) it can be a healthful addition to…
Brown Rice Syrup & Arsenic… The Truth I Discovered
People are confused and scared by grim statistics and dire predictions about health and our diets. Organic, non-organic, local, commercial, GMO’s, farm fresh, natural…it’s like you need to be a…
Just when I think things are returning to some form of normalcy, there is more panic around food…some for good cause and some, as Jon Stewart says, not so much….
Shakespeare coined the phrase ‘salad days’ in ‘Antony and Cleopatra,’ referring to a time of youth and innocence. In modern days, this same phrase indicates the peak of life, regardless…
It’s all the rage. Eating organically produced foods, supporting farm markets, CSA’s and eating locally have become as common in our language of food as food itself. We are all…
My mother’s family came to America in search of a better life. The youngest of seventeen children (yes, you read right, seventeen!), my grandmother talked often of their life in…
I am an avid reader of the magazine Life Extension. I find their articles compelling, no-nonsense and their research impeccable. In one of their issues, I read an article that…
The great Swedish botanist, Carolus Linnaeus christened the cacao tree…food of the gods…and boy, was he right! We’ll never know what nirvana is…well, most of us won’t anyway…maybe the Dalai…
